Pacing strategies during male 1500 m running world record performances

The aim was to determine the pacing strategies used to achieve male 1500 m running world record performances. Lap times (three first laps and the last 300 m) for the last 37 male 1500 m world record performances achieved since 1917 until 1998 were collected. An analysis of variance with repeated measures and a Bonferroni post hoc test were conducted to determine differences between the percentages of race average speed at each lap. Lap 1 and last 300 m differed from lap 2 and 3, being the latter slower (P < 0.001, 1.44 <= ES <= 1.95), and displaying a U-shaped pacing profile. Whereas the pacing strategies observed differed from those previously determined for major championship races, a fast endspurt was always present and therefore athletes aiming for a world standard performance should train for developing their anaerobic capacity in addition to a high aerobic power.

Automated summary

The study found that male 1500 m running world record performances utilize different pacing strategies, showing a U-shaped pacing profile with significantly slower speeds in the last 300 m. In contrast to major championship races, athletes aiming for world record performances must train both anaerobic capacity and high aerobic power.